Ready for a wild night in the City of Light? Follow the guide. I know the best place to party. Try to keep up and take some notes because I’m sending a maximum of information your way. Soon, you’ll know everything about Paris’ most trendy neighborhoods. Enjoy!
First, here’s a map of the neighborhoods and places I recommend in this article:
Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter belongs to its students.
They flock to its bookshops, chill in its cafés between lectures, and stroll in little close-knit groups before their colleges.
It’s no secret that students’ neighborhoods have a wild nightlife. Their rule is the same everywhere: work hard, play hard.
No wonder the place is bursting with cool bars and quirky attractions.
My Favorite Spots in the Latin Quarter
- Vik: Sing your heart out among friends in this club inspired by the famous Asian-style karaoke bar, 4 rue Suger 75006 Paris, Place Saint-Michel. If you get thirsty between songs, try one of their delicious cocktails.
- The Game: Welcome to the most lifelike escape room center in Paris. From 10 a.m. to midnight at Saint-Michel, you can challenge your mates during a casino heist or take the wheel of an actual subway train minutes away from a collision. Join the fun at 51 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine
- The Caveau de la Huchette: Every night is a party in this jazz temple. The best brass bands of the time get up on the stage at 5 Rue De La Huchette. Whether you want to groove on the dance floor or get a drink, it’s the place to be.
- L’Ours et la vieille grille: Do you always have your nose in a book? Then you’ll feel at home at 9 rue Larrey. Not only are bookworms welcome in this café that doubles up as a bookstore, but from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., you can play chess and cool your head with a good draft beer.
Heads up, outdoor dancers! This summer, you are invited to show off your best moves in the Tino Rossi garden. Don’t be shy and join the party for a spicy salsa or an Argentine tango on Quai St-Bernard.
Bastille
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If Paris is a moveable feast, Bastille is at the heart of the party.
Not only is it home to the largest Opera House in the capital but there is no end to the partygoers streaming in and out of its clubs or hopping from bar to bar.
All it takes is a few steps into the infamous Rue de Lappe and Rue Roquette to get lost among trendy art galleries and the latest stylish dining spots.
My Favorite Spots in Bastille
- The Supersonic: Just a stone’s throw from the Bastille Opera, this two-story loft-lookalike is an iconic Parisian pop-rock club. Inside, the music is always cranked up to eleven, and concerts are free until 11 p.m. After that, it’s €10 to keep vibing until the doors close at 6 a.m. Hot tip: The fake food truck serves up tasty snacks.
- The Froggy: A place worth checking out, if only to get a taste of its homemade cocktails (the Fred Fire and the Tea Jack.) Try coming between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to get them at € 7 during the Happy Hour. The DJ sets up his turntables at 9 and the party goes on till 2 a.m.
- The Moonshiner: In the mood for a drink? How about taking it in a French speakeasy, prohibition-style? Slip through Da Vito’s pizzeria back doors, 5 rue Sedaine, then settle down in one of its leather armchairs and admire all of that polished woodwork.
Oberkampf
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Bargain hunters’ neighborhood, Oberkampf is full of thrift shops and vintage stores, but it’s also one of the most vibrant hotspots of Paris’ nightlife.
People get little sleep here but they party a lot. And you know how it goes: the more you get your groove on, the thirstier you get.
You know where to go for a good time.
My Favorite Spots in Oberkampf
- Le Perchoir: This bird’s nest is perched at 14 Rue Crespin du Gast, atop the 7th floor of an industrial building. Not only does its vines-covered terrasse offer a breathtaking view of Paris, but its restaurant also provides residencies to wandering chefs.
- Le Nouveau Casino: This club doubling up as a concert hall, houses a stage and a dance floor rumbling with hip-hop, rock, and electro beats. Above the gyrating bodies in the pit, guests can find more intimate settings on the mezzanine. It can be found 109 rue Oberkampf.
- La Fine Mousse: Awesome brews and finger-licking good food are what they do best here. Come grab a bite with your mates. The mood is always light whether you go to their restaurant (4 Bis Avenue Jean Aicard) or their bar for some draft beers (6 Avenue Jean Aicard).
Le Marais
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With its cobblestone roads, townhouses, and art galleries, the Marais may seem tailored for tourists’ cultural tours and leisure strolls.
But it’s also one of Paris’ most vibrant neighborhoods, with a thriving LGBT community, where you can stumble on rainbow-colored bars between fashion stores.
My Favorite Spots in the Marais
- Le Ju’: Settle down on this charming bistro’s terrace and chill out under the shade of its rainbow-colored umbrellas. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite or a drink in a friendly and lively atmosphere from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. You can find it at 16 Rue des Archives.
- Little Red Door: A prime drinking spot of the capital, the Little Red Door has already climbed to the top of the bar world, according to the World’s 50 Best Bars experts. A feat they owe to the talent of their mixologists and their innovative recipes. Open 7 days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., this gem can be found at 60 Rue Charlot 75003 Paris.
- Candelaria: What are the odds of stumbling on a Mexican Taqueria in the middle of Paris? Better to stop wondering and follow the customers slipping into the backroom. Welcome to one of the trendiest bars in the city! My advice? Try the Green Wasp and its spicy mix of tequila, lime, cucumber slices, cilantro leaves, and agave syrup. It’s pretty sharp. 52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris.
Pigalle
Paris’s former red light district stays a favorite haunt of night owls, although there are more cabarets and nightclubs than sex shops here nowadays.
It’s an ideal place to relax and have fun with some friends.
My Favorite Spots in Pigalle
- La Machine du Moulin Rouge: Nestled under the wings of Paris’ mythical cabaret at the 90, Bd de Clichy, the machine offers 2 spaces to dancers and music lovers. The Central can host up to 800 people for concerts and 1000 dancers when DJs set up their turntables. And the Boiler Room, an underground scene showcasing alternative rock bands.
- Le Bar à Bulle: Perched atop the Machine, this colorful bar-restaurant offers customers a spacious terrasse from which all the Place Blanche is visible.
Châtelet
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Paris’s beating heart, Châtelet captures all the flair of its nightlife.
It is a bustling meeting place with a cosmopolitan crowd where mall aficionados rub elbows with tight-knit groups of pals looking to have fun.
You can stroll in the Forum des Halles’s alleyways or the splendid Galerie Vivienne, admire Centre Pompidou’s artworks, or simply kill time in one of its many bars and restaurants.
The neighborhood’s main street, Rue Montorgueil, is packed with mouth-watering shops: Stohrer’s Pastries, the cacao delicacies of Charles Chocolatier, and a dozen brasserie.
In the no less lively rue Saint-Denis, street art is king. Passersby always stumble upon a pretty mural between two succulent bistros or while turning a street corner.
My Favorite Spots in Châtelet
- Mala Bavo: Want to try something new? Step into this inviting Kurdish bistro where the eggplant takes center stage. (Pro tip: don’t miss the stuffed version, the Babaqunûç). And for all you meat enthusiasts, fear not: Delectable grilled meats await. Happy Hour from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. 171 Rue Saint-Denis, 75002 Paris.
- Le Duc des Lombards: If you’re a jazz fan, you can’t miss out on this place. The Duc des Lombards welcomes artists of all stripes and all corners of the world, rising stars and legends alike. Two concerts are offered from Monday to Saturday between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. And as a cherry on top, there are jam sessions each Friday and Saturday night between midnight and 4. a.m. Prices: €29-€41 depending on the program (with a €7 reduction for under 25s, students, and job-seekers.) 42 Rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris
- Experimental Cocktail Club: Ready to step up your game? Does a regular Mojito not cut it anymore, and you want something special? The club’s mixologists are ready to get you to the next level. 37 rue Saint Sauveur 75002 Paris
- Le Dernier Bar avant la Fin du Monde: you’ve never missed an episode of the Silo series and already read all the books? Or are you more into Dungeon & Dragon? Either way, you’ll feel right at home in the 400m2 of Dernier Bar. In this haven for sci-fi and fantasy lovers, talks turn around TV shows, books, mangas, and video games. You can debate and set up board games with friends. Unless you prefer browsing the sci-fi library or savoring a Poison Ivy cocktail. 19 Av. Victoria, 75001 Paris
Mabillon
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Tucked between Odéon and Saint-Germain des Prés, Mabillon is the ideal destination to chill out at a café or grab a bite with friends.
Always friendly and lively, this tiny neighborhood is full of terraces.
If you want to unwind, the options are endless.
Glasses are never empty in the ever-thirsty Rue Princesse, and people feast on the delicious dishes offered in Rue Guisarde.
- Tiger Paris: Welcome to the temple of gin. The Tiger bar boasts an extensive selection of over a hundred gin-based cocktails. The service takes place all week, Saturday included, from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. at 13 Rue Princess, 75006 Paris.
- The Moose: A cozy dining spot with authentic poutine, homemade fries, and craft beer. What more could you ask for? Open Monday to Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Heads up to American football fans, the NHL is broadcast live in the pub. 16 Rue des Quatre Vents, 75006 Paris
- Evi Evane: Feeling peckish? Try the Greek flavors of Evi Evane’s menu, courtesy of Cheffe Dina Nikolaou. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. High marks for the candied lemon-flavored white taramosalata. 10 Rue Guisarde, 75006 Paris
Ménilmontant
Don’t be fooled by its little village charm. There’s more than meets the eye in Ménilmontant’s peaceful and picturesque streets.
The old factories and warehouses left from its industrial era have been transformed into concert venues and workshops for the artists shaking up the area, such as the street-art wizards who created the giraffe and the leopard graffiti on Rue du Retrait.
Elsewhere, around Rue Sorbier and Boyer, trendy bars and restaurants pop up everywhere, attracting their share of night owls and food lovers.
My Favorite Spots in Ménilmontant
- La Maroquinerie: The biggest names in the business have graced the stage of this concert hall, but it’s also a true haven for indie artists. Added perks: excellent acoustics and an open-air restaurant. 23 rue Boyer, 75020 Paris
- La Bellevilloise: 2,000m² dedicated to artistic expression. An inclusive cultural center with a cosmopolitan crowd, organizing concerts and shows as well as exhibitions, screenings, and fashion shows. If that’s not enough, there is also its café-restaurant, the Halle aux Oliviers, and its jazz brunches. 19-21 Rue Boyer, 75020 Paris
- Mineirinho Bar: If you want a taste of Brazilian music and food in a humble but warm and friendly dining spot, come here. Their caïpirinha, a mix of cachaça (Brazil’s answer to rum), sugar, and lime is highly recommended! 7 rue Henri Chevreau, 75020 Paris
La Villette
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It’s no secret for music lovers that this neighborhood is teeming with bars and clubs where to enjoy a good jazz jam or dance to the beat of a DJ set.
Far from the Cité de la Science exhibitions or the mainstream artists performing at the Philharmonie and the Zénith, the place is bursting with underground venues.
La Villette is also full of outdoor entertainment and cool dining spots around the basin and the Canal de l’Ourcq (the basin is worth a look, it’s the largest artificial body of water in Paris).
My Favorite Spots in la Villette
- La Gare Le Gore: To get there, zip off 1 Avenue Corentin Cariou to the old Flandre’s train station. This is a fairly unique place: On the surface, there is a jazzy club with gardens and terraces tucked in a large structure covered with tags. And in the basement, an electro stage where techno and house tracks pulse from midnight to 5 a.m.
- The Trabendo: Given its bright red building, the Trabendo is hard to miss. What sets this colorful concert hall apart is the proximity the audience can enjoy with the artists performing.
- Paname Brewing Company: If you prefer to unwind with a few pints, head to this microbrewery. You’ll enjoy sipping their craft beer in front of the canal.
- Chez Nana: How about grabbing a bite with your friends? Why not share some Franco-Thai tapas, 5 Quai de la Loire? You’ll enjoy the view of the canal and if you feel like it, the MK2 cinema complex is right next door.
Besides, if you are a movie buff don’t hesitate to visit the Parc de la Villette for the annual outdoor film festival. You can watch classics and new releases during 25 free screenings from early July to the end of August.
La Butte aux Cailles
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Nestled in the 13th district, the Butte-aux-Cailles is a small oasis, more known for its cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses than for its bars and clubs.
Yet this is no little sleepy village devoid of entertainment.
It is crossed by the rue Tolbiac, a street so full of murals that it looks like an open-air museum of street art.
And when night falls, pubs and concert halls open their doors.
- La Folie en Tête: No stress here, but a light and easy atmosphere with a soundtrack that mixes rock and jazz in the backdrop. The cocktails are creative, and the beer is fresh. Unfortunately, you can’t pick up the instruments hanging on the walls for a wild solo act. Open Monday to Saturday, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday until midnight. Happy Hour: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 33 Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, 75013 Paris
- Le Feu de Mars: If you’re a fan of traditional Japanese food cooked on iron griddles, don’t miss this authentic teppanyaki. You can get a front-row seat to the Chef’s work by sitting at the counter while he sizzles your dishes. 41 Rue Vandrezanne, 75013 Paris.
- Chez Gladines: If you’re a fan of Southwestern dishes like goose rillettes and Normandy escalope, a visit to Chez Gladines is a must.Only for the famished: the portions are generous. 30 Rue des cinq Diamants, 75013 Paris.
Canal Saint-Martin
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What could be better than strolling along these banks lined with chestnut trees?
Unless you prefer to admire the peaceful flow of the water from one of the bridges crossing over the Saint-Martin canal.
If you follow its course to the Canal de l’Ourcq or the Port de l’Arsenal, you are sure to come across a restaurant, a bar, or a top-notch club.
My Favorite Spots in Canal Saint-Martin
- Le Point Éphémère: Creativity and inclusivity are the keywords of this cultural center bordering the canal. If the green flag is raised on the neighboring tower, the bar rooftop is open, and you can come to enjoy the view. Otherwise, if you’re stuck on the ground, you can always grab a bite on its large terrace or listen to the alternative beats of the concert hall. 200, quai de Valmy
- Le Comptoir Général: Landlubbers and seadogs are welcome in this quirky bar restaurant where cocktails, seafood, and DJ sets are enjoyed in what looks very much like the belly of a ship. 84 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
- Bizz’Art: This club offers a Soulful experience to its diverse clientele. Thanks to the restaurant on its mezzanine, anyone can get a bird’s eye view of the party. What more do you need? Open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursdays, and from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy Hour: 8-9:30 p.m. 167 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
